Medical Electrode Assembly

ABSTRACT

A medical electrode assembly can be substantially transparent or translucent to visible, infrared and/or ultraviolet light so that light rays emitted by a phototherapy device can shine through and pass transversely across every layer of the medical electrode assembly to impinge upon the skin of the patient to which the assembly is attached. This includes an area of skin located directly underneath the medical electrode assembly and thereby enables a combination of therapies including one or more of electrotherapy and phototherapy. The upper and lower exterior exposed faces of the medical electrode can have tacky, self-adhesive surfaces.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/972,022 filed on Jan. 10, 2008.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the therapeutic application ofelectrotherapy and/or the therapeutic application of phototherapy to apatient, and more particularly, the present invention relates to amedical electrode assembly for use in applying these therapies and amethod in which the therapies can be applied to a patient.

Phototherapy and electrotherapy are two very different therapies.Phototherapy is a process where light and/or laser photons are directedonto the skin of the patient and enter the tissue of the skin of thepatient for therapeutic purposes. The phototherapy light source istypically provided by a pad with a cluster of LEDs or a probe with LEDsand/or lasers or other light source. U.S. Patent Application PublicationNo. 2004/0166146 A1 of Holloway et al. provides an example of the use ofphototherapy.

In contrast, electrotherapy is the therapeutic application ofelectricity to the body. Stimulation wires have one end electricallyconnected to an electrical stimulation machine and the other endelectrically connected to the skin of the body. Single or multiplechannels with various frequencies can be utilized. Medical electrodesassemblies are used to connect the stimulation wires to the skin of thepatient's body and are typically made of at least three separate layers.The three layers include an adhesive layer used to attach the medicalelectrode assembly to the body, a black rubber layer secured over theadhesive layer, and a foam or cloth backing layer attached to the rubberlayer. Such medical electrode assemblies are not transparent withrespect to visible, ultraviolet or infrared light, and one cannotvisually see the skin of the patient through the electrode assembly.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,450,845 and 5,785,040 issued to Axelgaard provideexamples of the construction of a typical medical electrode assembly.Also see U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0010161 A1 of Sunet al. for applying electricity or light to the skin of a patient.Further, see U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0068861 A1ofYang and U.S. Pat. No. 4,539,995 issued to Segawa, U.S. Pat. Nos.4,674,511 and 4,838,273 issued to Cartmell, U.S. Pat. No. 4,685,467issued to Cartmell et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,800,887 issued to Shigeta etal., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,265,579 and 5,571,165 issued to Ferrari, U.S. Pat.No. 5,356,428 issued to Way, U.S. Pat. No. 5,499,628 issued to Wright,and U.S. Pat. No. 6,600,957 B2 issued to Gadsby for medical electrodeassemblies that are radiolucent or transparent with respect to x-rays.U.S. Pat. No. 4,300,575 issued to Wilson, U.S. Pat. No. 6,907,299 B2issued to Han, U.S. Pat. No. 6,999,822 B2 issued to Koike, U.S. Pat. No.4,391,278 issued to Cahalan et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,694,835 issued toStrand, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,133,356 and 5,226,225 issued to Bryan et al.,and U.S. Pat. No. 5,215,087 issued to Anderson et al. and U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2006/0183989 A1of Healy disclose othermedical electrode assemblies.

While the medical electrode assemblies and/or methods of use disclosedin the above referenced patents and published applications may functionin a satisfactory manner for their intended purposes, there remains aneed for a method of treatment and medical electrode assembly enablingtherapeutic applications of electrotherapy and/or phototherapy to apatient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a method for combining the two abovereferenced very effective modalities of electrotherapy and phototherapy.It is submitted that the combination of electrotherapy and phototherapywill have advanced synergistic effects since these therapies have proventherapeutic effectiveness when used alone. The present invention alsoprovides a medical electrode assembly. Substantially the entire medicalelectrode assembly is transparent or translucent so that the radiationor light rays emitted by a phototherapy device shines and passes throughthe medical electrode assembly and is applied to the skin of thepatient, including skin located directly underneath the medicalelectrode assembly, to achieve the combination therapy.

Preferably, the medical electrode assembly according to the presentinvention comprises or consists of an upper flexible gel layer securedover a lower flexible gel layer with an exposed end of anelectrically-conductive lead wire sandwiched therebetween. The lowerflexible gel layer is electrically conductive for electrically couplingthe assembly to the skin of the patient and is self-adhesive foradhering the assembly to the skin of the patient. In some contemplatedembodiments, both the upper and lower flexible gel layers aretransparent or translucent relative to visible, ultraviolet and/orinfrared light to permit passage or transmission of visible, ultravioletand/or infrared light rays through the assembly.

Preferably, the method of therapy using the medical electrode assemblyof the present invention comprises the steps of adhering the medicalelectrode assembly to the skin of a patient and applying electrotherapyto a patient via the medical electrode assembly while simultaneouslyapplying phototherapy to the skin of the patient with a light source.The step of applying phototherapy preferably includes directing visible,ultraviolet, and /or infrared light emitted by the phototherapy lightsource through the medical electrode assembly and onto the skin of thepatient including the skin of the patient located directly underneaththe medical electrode assembly.

In one contemplated embodiment, the light source emits electromagneticradiation within a wavelength range of 280 nm to 50,000 nm, and themedical electrode assembly includes upper and lower flexible transparentlayers that are transparent or translucent to, and permit passage of,electromagnetic radiation of a wavelength of 280 nm to 50,000 nm. Inanother contemplated embodiment, the light source emits electromagneticradiation within a wavelength range of 400 nm to 1,000 nm, and the upperand lower flexible transparent layers are transparent or translucent to,and permit passage of, electromagnetic radiation of a wavelength of 400nm to 1,000 nm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of the present invention should becomeapparent from the following description when taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a series of separate medical electrodeassemblies adhered to a release sheet according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a single medical electrode assemblyadhered to the skin of a patient according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the medical electrode assembly takenalong line 3-3;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a first embodiment of a combination of amedical electrode assembly and a light source according to the presentinvention; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a second embodiment of a combination of amedical electrode assembly and a light source according to the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate the medical electrode assembly 10 according to thepresent invention. The assembly includes dual layers, 12 and 14, thatcan be provided as patches, pads, or the like and be of substantiallyany size desired. The assembly 10 can include more than two layers;however, in its preferred embodiment, the assembly 10 of the presentinvention consists of a pair of opposed continuous layers. A freeexposed end 16 of carbon fiber, steel fiber, copper fiber or any othertype of electrically-conductive stimulation lead wire 18 is attached tothe assembly 10 by being secured and sandwiched between the dual layers,12 and 14.

Both of the dual layers, 12 and 14, can be transparent or translucent tovisible light, ultraviolet light, and/or infrared light. For example,with respect to the preferred embodiment, the dual layers, 12 and 14,are substantially clear and a person can visual see directly through thedual layers, 12 and 14, to objects located on the other side of the duallayers, 12 and 14. Preferably, each of the dual layers, 12 and 14, arecontinuously transparent or translucent throughout their entire body soas not to block, absorb, reflect, or prevent substantially anytransmission of light through any part of the assembly 10 and therefore,enable maximum passage of light to the patient's skin 20 lying directlyunderneath the assembly 10. The only exception is the relatively smalland thin lead wire 18 which may not be transparent and may absorb and/orreflect rays of light. Otherwise, the entire assembly 10 can betransparent or translucent to light and permits light rays “R” emittedby a phototherapy device, or light source, 22 to shine through thelayers, 12 and 14, onto the skin 20 of the patient. See FIGS. 4 and 5.

Preferably, the dual layers, 12 and 14, include a lower flexible layer12 intended to engage the skin 20 of the patient and an upper flexiblelayer 14 that faces outward of the skin 20 toward the phototherapy, orlight source, device 22. The flexibility of the layers 12 and 14 enablethe assembly 10 to conform to the contour of the skin 20 on which it isattached. Flexibility is particularly important for relatively largeassemblies having a relatively large surface area. Alternatively, thelayers, 12 and 14, can be substantially rigid if the assembly isrelatively small and has only a small surface area.

As an example, the lower layer 12 can be a sticky, tacky, orself-adhesive gel-like substance. Such a gel layer 12 can beelectrically-conductive such that it electrically couples the lead wire18 to the skin 20. In addition, the gel layer 12 can have an exteriorrelative-tacky surface enabling the gel layer 12 to be removablyself-adhered directly to the skin 22 of the patient. The upper face 24of the gel layer 12 can also be tacky for purposes of self-adhering thelead wire 18 thereto and for adhering the upper layer 14 thereto.Alternatively, separate adhesive layers can be used.

The upper flexible layer 14 can be made of the same gel material as thelower flexible layer 12. If desired, the upper gel layer 14 can made ofa conductive gel material, or more preferably, a non-conductive gelmaterial. Its surfaces can be tacky to enable it to form a strong bondwith the lower gel layer 12 and lead wire 18. Its upper face 26 can alsobe tacky to enable the separate phototherapy, or light source, device 22to be removably adhered thereto. See FIG. 5. Alternatively, the upperlayer 14 may not have a self-adherent property.

Preferably, the assembly 10 is provided as a disposable medicalelectrode assembly. For instance, as best illustrated in FIG. 1, theassembly 10 can initially be provided on a release sheet 28 that can bepeeled away from the underside of the assembly 10. Also, the lead wire18 can have a proximal free end forming a connection tip 30. In thismanner, a lead wire of an electrical stimulation device 32 can beconnected to tip 30. However, when discarding a used assembly 10, theassembly can be disconnected and only the short portion 34 of the leadwire need be discarded.

A method of treatment according to the present invention includesadhering lower layer 12 to the skin 20 of the patient. The proximal endof the lead wire 18 can be electrically connected to the electricalstimulation device 32 for electrically stimulating the patient via themedical electrode assembly 10. As an example, electrotherapy istypically given for about a period of 8 to 12 minutes depending upon thepurpose of the application.

Simultaneously with the electrotherapy treatment, a phototherapy lightsource 22 can be used to provide phototherapy to the skin 22 of thepatient, including the skin located directly underneath the medicalelectrode assembly. Phototherapy treatment typically is longer induration then electrotherapy treatment. Thus, there may be periods oftime where only phototherapy treatment or only electrotherapy treatmentis applied. However, the use of the medical electrode assembly 10enables the treatments to be applied simultaneously or sequentiallywithout any disconnection or re-connection of the electrode assembly tothe patient.

According to one contemplated embodiment, the phototherapy light source22 comprises a small lightweight light emitting diode (LED) cluster thatcan be adhered directly to the upper tacky face 26 of the upper layer 14of the assembly 10. Thus a phototherapy treatment and an electrotherapytreatment can be given simultaneously to substantially the same regionof the body. Alternatively, the light source can be a large bank oflights not supported on the assembly or connected to the assembly.

The type of light rays used during phototherapy depends upon the purposeof the application. Visible or optical light having a wavelength ofabout 400 nm to 700 nm could be used, and the assembly 10 could permitsuch electromagnetic radiation to pass through the layers, 12 and 14, ofthe assembly. Alternatively, ultraviolet rays could be used, includingUV-A, UV-B, or UV-C rays. This would correspond to electromagneticradiation of a wavelength within the range of about 10 to 400 nm. Stillfurther, infrared rays could be used, including near or far infrared.This would correspond to electromagnetic radiation of a wavelengthwithin the range of about 700 nm to 1,000,000 nm. According to onecontemplated embodiment the medical electrode assembly would permitpassage of light rays having a wavelength of between 280 nm to 50,000nm, or alternatively, between 400 nm and 1000 nm.

While preferred electrodes and methods of treatment have been describedin detail, various modifications, alterations, and changes may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the electrode assemblyand method according to the present invention as defined in the appendedclaims.

1. A medical electrode assembly for being applied to a patient's skinfor use in applying electrotherapy to the skin of the patient,comprising: a first electrically-conductive layer forming an exposedsurface at an end face of the medical electrode assembly, said exposedsurface of first electrically-conductive layer being tacky andself-adhesive; a second electrically-conductive layer secured to saidfirst electrically-conductive layer and forming an exposed surface at anopposite end face of the medical electrode assembly, said exposedsurface of said second electrically-conductive layer being tacky andself-adhesive; and an electrically-conductive lead wire having anexposed end sandwiched between said first and secondelectrically-conductive layers and an opposite end for electricalconnecting to a separate electrical stimulation device.
 2. A medicalelectrode assembly according to claim 1, wherein each of said first andsecond electrically-conductive layers is flexible.
 3. A medicalelectrode assembly according to claim 1, wherein said firstelectrically-conductive layer is made of the same material as saidsecond electrically-conductive layer.
 4. A medical electrode assemblyaccording to claim 1, wherein each of said first and secondelectrically-conductive layers is an electrically-conductive,self-adhesive gel.
 5. A medical electrode assembly according to claim 1,wherein each of said first and second electrically-conductive layers isflexible, wherein said first electrically-conductive layer is made ofthe same material as said second electrically-conductive layer, andwherein each of said first and second electrically-conductive layers isan electrically-conductive, self-adhesive gel.
 6. A medical electrodeassembly for being applied to a patient's skin and for electricallycoupling the assembly to the patient's skin, consisting of oppositelayers secured together with an exposed end of anelectrically-conductive lead wire sandwiched therebetween, said leadwire having an opposite end for electrically connecting to a separateelectrical stimulation device, and said opposite flexible layers beingelectrically-conductive and forming opposite self-adhesive exposed facesof the medical electrode assembly.
 7. A medical electrode assemblyaccording to claim 6, wherein each of said opposite layers is flexible.8. A medical electrode assembly according to claim 7, wherein saidopposite layers are made of the same electrically-conductive,self-adhesive material.
 9. A medical electrode assembly according toclaim 7, wherein said opposite layers are each made of anelectrically-conductive, self-adhesive gel.
 10. A medical electrodeassembly according to claim 9, wherein said opposite layers are eachmade of the same electrically-conductive, self-adhesive gel.